IRLPLBIO Chapter 19 Part 2

Im Ho-sin, who had meticulously scraped up even the last piece of lettuce that had slipped out of the sandwich, offered an awkward smile to Han Ga-yeon, who was still watching him.

“Was I too gluttonous? I was a bit hungry…”

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’ll bring more, please wait a moment.”

“Ah, well, in that case, I’ll pay more.”

“It’s a regular customer service, just take it.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

Im Ho-sin, despite his usual good-natured demeanor, genuinely felt embarrassed at times like this. Thanks to him, the tension eased, and Han Ga-yeon let out a light laugh.

He ate the second sandwich a bit more slowly. Im Ho-sin, carefully taking small bites so his cheeks wouldn’t bulge, spoke to Han Ga-yeon sitting opposite him.

“It seems you have something to say.”

“How did you know?”

“Because you keep staring.”

With Han Ga-yeon continually watching him, it was hard to eat comfortably. Unconsciously, his back stiffened. He even felt as if the sandwich was caught in his throat due to the tension.

Han Ga-yeon hesitated, unable to speak immediately. She was well aware that Im Ho-sin had provided significant help last time. However, completely trusting Im Ho-sin was a separate matter.

There were many things she wanted to ask Im Ho-sin. She wanted to know if he was indeed in contact with one or more of her brothers, if so, whether Kwang-cheol’s story had been leaked, if Jae-gu’s actions had made him disliked by someone, and what she could do to protect those children. She felt that Im Ho-sin’s answers would give her a sense of how she should act.

But what if Im Ho-sin didn’t answer properly? Or what if he deceived her?

Han Ga-yeon had left the Dae-yeong Group a long time ago. If Im Ho-sin and her brother were to collude and try to deceive her, with no other source of information, she would have no choice but to fall for it.

If she were alone, it might still be okay, but now Han Ga-yeon had two people she needed to protect. Her son, Kwang-cheol, and Jae-gu, who was like a son to her.

After much hesitation and consideration, the question Han Ga-yeon asked was simple.

“Didn’t my brother… ask about me?”

That implied she was certain that Im Ho-sin was in contact with one of her brothers.

“Even after all this time together, she doesn’t fully trust me.”

He had known it, but seeing it confirmed again, Im Ho-sin’s face darkened.

Just then. Han Ga-yeon’s mobile phone began to ring.

Since it was an unsaved number, the caller wasn’t displayed. But the last four digits were familiar. They were the last digits of the main family’s phone number, where Han Ga-yeon had lived since childhood.

“Ah, this…”

Han Ga-yeon blinked and rubbed her eyes a few times, then took a deep breath. She calmed her trembling hands. In the meantime, the call disconnected once and then rang again.

Im Ho-sin searched for the number displayed on Han Ga-yeon’s mobile phone in his own mobile phone contact list. It was an unsaved number.

That alone allowed him to guess who the caller was. It was someone who didn’t need to leave their number directly with a subordinate, but could contact them through the secretary’s office. Among such people, there was only one who would call Han Ga-yeon right now.

To Im Ho-sin, this person was incredibly distant and high-ranking, but to Han Ga-yeon, he was just one of her brothers. Im Ho-sin, guessing the caller was Han Ga-yeon’s eldest brother and the current Chairman, Han Moo-jin, mouthed, “Answer it.”

Only then did Han Ga-yeon realize that Im Ho-sin was at least not connected to Han Moo-jin. If he had been planted by Han Moo-jin, he should be triumphant at a moment like this, not looking so pale and defeated.

“…Hello?”

She prayed her voice hadn’t trembled.

“—Is that Ga-yeon?”

Han Moo-jin’s voice, heard after several years, was still cold. It was even excessively stern for someone initiating a conversation with his younger sister after such a long time.